The National Museum of Korea welcomed more than 6.5 million visitors last year, its highest annual figure since opening 80 years ago. The museum said Friday that total visitors reached 6,507,483 in 2025, a 1.7-fold increase from 3.79 million recorded in 2024. It was the largest annual figure since the museum was established in 1945. According to the London-based The Art Newspaper, only two museums worldwide surpassed 6.5 million visitors in 2024: the Louvre, with 8.74 million, and the Vatican Museums, with 6.83 million. Including 13 affiliated museums nationwide, the National Museum of Korea recorded a combined total of 14,773,111 visitors last year. Museum Director You Hong-june said the record "reflects the public's expectations and interest for us to do even better." "In 2026, we will strive to meet the public's trust with exhibitions and services of even higher quality," he added.